[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 161 (Wednesday, August 20, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 50214]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21033]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket Nos. AB-855 (Sub-No. 1X) and AB-847 (Sub-No. 2X)]


A & R Line, Inc.--Abandonment Exemption--in Cass and Pulaski 
Counties, IN and Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway Corporation--
Discontinuance of Service Exemption--in Cass and Pulaski Counties, IN

    On July 31, 2003, A & R Line, Inc. (A&R) and Toledo, Peoria & 
Western Railway Corporation (TP&W) jointly filed with the Surface 
Transportation Board (Board) a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for 
exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903. A&R seeks to abandon 
and TP&W seeks to discontinue service over a line of railroad known as 
the A&R line extending from milepost 5.1W near Kenneth to the end of 
the line at milepost 21.OW near Winamac, a distance of 15.9 miles in 
Cass and Pulaski Counties, IN. The line constitutes A&R's entire line 
of railroad. The line traverses United States Postal Service Zip Codes 
47550, 46978, 46985 and 46996, and it includes the station of Winamac 
at milepost 21.OW.
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in A&R's or TP&W's possession will be made available 
promptly to those requesting it.
    The interest of railroad employees of TP&W will be protected by the 
conditions set forth in Oregon Short Line R. Co.--Abandonment--Goshen, 
360 I.C.C. 91 (1979). The Board generally does not impose labor 
protective conditions on a railroad, such as A&R here, that is 
abandoning its entire line. See, Northampton and Bath R. Co.--
Abandonment, 354 I.C.C. 784 (1978).
    By issuance of this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption 
proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be 
issued by November 18, 2003.
    Any offer of financial assistance under 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2) will 
be due no later than 10 days after service of a decision granting the 
petition for exemption. Each offer must be accompanied by a $1,100 
filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25).
    All interested persons should be aware that, following abandonment 
of rail service and salvage of the line, the line may be suitable for 
other public use, including interim trail use. Any request for a public 
use condition under 49 CFR 1152.28 or for trail use/rail banking under 
49 CFR 1152.29 will be due no later than September 9, 2003. Each trail 
use request must be accompanied by a $150 filing fee. See 49 CFR 
1002.2(f)(27).
    All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket 
Nos. AB-855 (Sub-No. 1X) and AB-847 (Sub-No. 2X) and must be sent to: 
(1) Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street NW., Washington, DC 
20423-0001; and (2) Louis E. Gitomer, Ball Janik LLP, 1455 F St., NW., 
Suite 225, Washington, DC 20005. Replies to the petition are due on or 
before September 9, 2002.
    Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment 
procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public Services at (202) 
565-1592 or refer to the full abandonment or discontinuance regulations 
at 49 CFR part 1152. Questions concerning environmental issues may be 
directed to the Board's Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) at 
(202) 565-1539. [Assistance for the hearing impaired is available 
through the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-
8339.]
    An environmental assessment (EA) (or environmental impact statement 
(EIS), if necessary), prepared by SEA will be served upon all parties 
of record and upon any agencies or other persons who commented during 
its preparation. Other interested persons may contact SEA to obtain a 
copy of the EA (or EIS). EAs in these abandonment proceedings normally 
will be made available within 60 days of the filing of the petition. 
The deadline for submission of comments on the EA will generally be 
within 30 days of its service.
    Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at http://www.stb.dot.gov.

    Decided: August 11, 2003.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-21033 Filed 8-19-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P